How to get the best deal on used cameras
Test the autofocus
Take a single shot to see how fast it can focus, then focus
on a specific part of the scene using single AF and zoom in to check it is
sharp. Test the continuous AF by photographing a moving subject and seeing if
it is in focus in your shots.
Test the autofocus before buying an used
cameras
Take a look at the hotshoe
A hotshoe is the small metal slot
that can be found on top of many cameras. If you are buying a camera that has a
hotshoe, check to make sure that it is fully
functional, as it can get burnt out over time if it has been well used. If you
can, test it out with a hotshoe accessory, such as an
external flashgun or remote shutter release receiver, to make sure it is
working, otherwise you will just have to take the seller’s word for it.
Nikon Hot shoe
Check the chambers
Open the battery chamber and memory card slot of the camera
and check for any damage. This can often be found on the bottom of the camera,
but memory card ports can also be situated on the side. Look out for any bent
pins and dirt that could affect its operation and test it by inserting the
battery and a memory card if you can. If you already own a memory card, then
make sure that the camera is compatible with it, as some models may only take a
microSD card or not work with the larger capacity
SDXC varieties.
How many pixels do you need?
One of the biggest selling points of a camera is the
megapixel count, which determines the resolution of the image sensor. A sensor
with a high resolution, ie lots of megapixels, might
sound impressive, but you may not need it. How many you need often depends on
what you do with your images. If you want to print at large sizes, then you
will need more megapixels than if you just want to share photos online and
create small prints.
Print resolution chart
|
Print size
|
Ppi
|
Print resolution
|
Mp you need
|
|
6X4 inches
|
300
|
1800x1200 pixels
|
2.1 million
pixels
|
|
10X8 inches
|
300
|
3000x2400 pixels
|
7.2 million
pixels
|
|
12x8 inches
|
300
|
3600x2400 pixels
|
8.6 million
pixels
|
|
A4
|
300
|
3510x2490 pixels
|
8.7 million
pixels
|
|
A3
|
240
|
3960x2808 pixels
|
11.1 million
pixels
|
|
Super A3
|
240
|
4560x3120 pixels
|
14.2 million
pixels
|
Buying a used DSLR camera is a way for shoppers to save money and avoid
paying full retail price.
How many pixels do you need?
One of the biggest selling points of a camera is the
megapixel count, which determines the resolution of the image sensor. A sensor
with a high resolution, ie lots of megapixels, might
sound impressive, but you may not need it. How many you need often depends on
what you do with your images. If you want to print at large sizes, then you
will need more megapixels than if you just want to share photos online and
create small prints.
